On the eve of QuakeCon 2013, I’m white-knuckle-gripping my defibrillator paddles, hoping to shock some life into one of the most storied developers in the biz, a studio that’s now barely registering a heartbeat. Sad but true: the guys and gals who created the first-person shooter genre with Wolfenstein, elevated it to new heights with Doom, and brought the FPS experience online for the first time with multiplayer death match in Quake, could be too far gone to save. For the sake of nostalgia, I’m going to hit ‘em with the juice anyway in the blind hope that id Software will somehow return to greatness with Doom 4.

You’re laughing, aren’t you? I get it. Id worked on its first new franchise in a decade, Rage, for five long years, and when it finally launched in 2011, we got a storyline pulled straight from Fallout, shooting mechanics from the 1990s, ho-hum vehicle combat, linear levels, and nothing truly innovative beyond the graphics – visuals tough to enjoy on PC due to unforgivable compatibility issues. Perhaps worst of all, for some reason, id shipped Rage without a real multiplayer mode (there was a vehicle combat multiplayer mode, but no FPS multiplayer). Yes, the studio that created death match decided not to include death match in its shooter. I compare that decision to baking a birthday cake for a loved one and giving it to them without any icing on it.

Rage serves as the most recent example of what id Software is now capable of achieving. While the end result was by no means terrible, it was a huge disappointment for gamers who understand what the id name represents. Where was the creative spark, the innovation, the step forward for the genre? But the decline for id really began long before Rage, didn’t it?

Doom 3, with its overwhelmingly positive critical reception and reported 3.5 million in sales, serves as a feather in id’s cap. I’d argue that it also created the blueprint for id’s downfall. Powered by the id Tech 4 engine, Doom 3’s deeply atmospheric presentation was nearly flawless, and the visuals blew gamers away in 2004. Take away that visual presentation, though, and what is Doom 3? Not much. There’s little in the way of storytelling, the shooting mechanics were pulled straight from 1994’s Doom 2, the levels are as linear as they come, and the barebones multiplayer mode that was included felt tacked on. Doom 3 is an impressive demonstration of the id Tech 4 engine, but it’s really not a terribly impressive game.

Id seemed to follow that same technology-over-gameplay blueprint with Rage, and why wouldn’t they? Doom 3 was a huge hit. Unfortunately, impressive technology, in the form of id Tech 5, wasn’t enough to cover up id’s core game-making flaws this time around, and with Rage’s sales disappointing publisher Zenimax Media enough for them to cancel Rage 2, id Software is on the ropes. There are even reports that suggest Zenimax will transform id into purely a technology studio if its next game is a flop.

Which brings us to Doom 4 and me charging up the defibrillator. QuakeCon 2013 kicks off on August 1, so it’s time for us to once again wonder if id will provide an update on the shooter they’ve been working on since 2007. We’ve yet to see so much as an official screenshot or piece of concept art of Doom 4, let alone a trailer, so we still have little clue what form the shooter will take. Thanks to a revealing April feature in Kotaku, we know do know this: Doom 4 is in trouble.

Bethesda Softworks probably thought they were taking the world by storm on Wednesday, when they released the trailer for Wolfenstein: The New Order. They didn’t count on gaming elder statesman Warren Spector (Deus Ex, Epic Mickey). The Wolfenstein clip barely shows anything, but that didn’t stop Spector from taking it back behind the woodshed. In a post to his Facebook page, he delivered quite the prose beatdown:

Did the world really need another Wolfenstein game? Did we need a generically dark, monochromatic, FPS, kill-the-Nazi-giant-robot game?

Uh. No. The world did not. I am so tired of stuff like this…

Oh, and could we all just agree we’ll never use the generic gravelly-whisper trailer voice guy ever again?

And one more thing: Please stop using Jimi Hendrix to promote your adolescent male power fantasies.

Thank you. I’m done.

We posted about Spector’s comments at the time, but in the spirit of Friday Flame Wars, we’re posing the same questions he did: Does the world really need another Wolfenstein game? Do we need a generically dark, monochromatic, FPS, kill-the-Nazi-giant-robot game?

]]>http://www.gamefront.com/friday-flame-wars-no-more-generically-dark-fps-games/feed/12Warren Spector “Tired” of Stuff Like Wolfenstein. Are You?http://www.gamefront.com/warren-spector-tired-of-stuff-like-wolfenstein-are-you/
http://www.gamefront.com/warren-spector-tired-of-stuff-like-wolfenstein-are-you/#commentsTue, 07 May 2013 21:25:00 +0000Devin Connorshttp://www.gamefront.com/?p=220115There’s a new Wolfenstein game coming later this year…but do you really want one? Set for a Q4 2013 release...

There’s a new Wolfenstein game coming later this year…but do you really want one?

Set for a Q4 2013 release on current- and next-gen platforms, Wolfenstein: The New Order is the latest game to be announced by Bethesda Softworks. The trailer, embedded above, sees longtime OSA agent B.J. Blazkowicz brought back into the fray, seemingly dropped into an alternate timeline where the Nazis have defeated the Allies, or at least have them on the run. There are no finer details as of yet, but we know the Nazis are still alive and well, they’ve launched attacks on American soil (the burning Statue of Liberty), and they have an army of death-dealing robots at their disposal.

Developed by Swedish Game Mafia MachineGames, The New Order is the “secret project” that’s been listed on the developers site for some time. Furthermore, The New Order will presumably be the first game developed outside of id Software to use the id Tech 5 engine (unless Doom 4 comes out first).

The current dearth of information should be remedied by Gamespot and their exclusive coverage over the next week, but some in the gaming industry are making their opinions known now, and in no uncertain terms.

Warren Spector, the veteran game designer with titles like Deus Ex and System Shock under his belt, took to his Facebook page earlier today to share some thoughts on the Wolfenstein announcement. Spector asks (rhetorically, of course), “Did the world really need another Wolfenstein game? Did we need a generically dark, monochromatic, FPS, kill-the-Nazi-giant-robot game?”

“Uh. No. The world did not. I am so tired of stuff like this…”

Warren goes on to lament the use of the “generic gravelly-whisper trailer voice guy,” while admonishing Bethesda and MachineGames for “…using Jimi Hendrix to promote your adolescent male power fantasies.”

So it seems like Warren will not be among those buying The New Order on day one. While I admire him for speaking his mind (and with a resume like his, it’s hard to ignore his opinions on such matters), this is some serious judgement coming down on a game that we’ve barely seen. The New Order trailer is 100 seconds of pre-rendered “The Nazis are winning” setup, and we’re waiting for Gamespot coverage, E3 or Quakecon before the punchline is delivered. It’s easy to understand Warren’s frustration, however, as the trailer does seem rather boiler plate. An overused Hendrix tune, World War II imagery, and some rather generic-looking robots of doom complete the trifecta, as it were.

The New Order (not to be confused with one of the greatest bands of all time) is the latest chapter in a franchise spanning twenty years…or rather, twenty years under the id Software and Bethesda banners. There is a storied history here, but Wolfenstein has suffered over the last decade — it’s disheartening to realize that there hasn’t been a worthy addition to the franchise in ten years. Return to Castle Wolfenstein was released in 2001, and it’s legendary multiplayer-only spinoff, Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, arrived two years later in 2003. What have we gotten since then? A bunch of Wolf3D rehashes for mobile platforms (fun, but not original), 2009′s Wolfenstein, which was met with middling reviews and unenthusiastic fanfare, and…that’s about it.

With its recent track record (Dishonored, Skyrim, salvaging RAGE, and announcing an Elder Scrolls MMO), I’m hopeful that Bethesda can bring this franchise back to greatness. The tools for success are there, including a capable and proven publisher, a fresh new studio in MachineGames (led by former Starbreeze Studios talent), and an engine that can produce some wonderful imagery in the right hands.

In other words: Please don’t botch this, Bethesda. PC gamers the world over are watching.

What do you want from a new Wolfenstein game? Are you an old school Wolf: ET player who only wants a new multiplayer experience? Do you want Wolfenstein to return to its roots with a focus on single-player? Or both? Leave your thoughts on the trailer – and the franchise in general – in the comments.

]]>http://www.gamefront.com/warren-spector-tired-of-stuff-like-wolfenstein-are-you/feed/710 Nintendo 3DS Games We’d Like To See (LIST)http://www.gamefront.com/10-nintendo-3ds-games-wed-like-to-see-list/
http://www.gamefront.com/10-nintendo-3ds-games-wed-like-to-see-list/#commentsSat, 02 Apr 2011 18:41:35 +0000Ross Lincolnhttp://www.gamefront.com/?p=9125610 Games that should exist, and probably would if Nintendo didn't take so long to bring out new product.

Dammit, that’s not soon enough for us. To motivate Nintendo to change famous tendency to drag their damned feet when it comes to supporting their new tech, here’s 10 games we’d like to see for 3DS.

1) Metal Gear Solid: Exclusive 3D Cutscenes 3DS Edition

You might have heard they’re remaking Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater for 3DS. Is this a good idea? Depends on how awesome you think a game that is 80% hiding under buildings is… IN 3D! Yeah, we know. But the Solid series isn’t just known for taking the action out of action games, they’re also notorious for lengthy, can’t-skip cut scenes, and Snake Eater took that to absurd levels, including the famous Bond-esque theme song. We say skip the game and give us what Konami thinks we want anyway; A Metal Gear Solid game consisting of nothing but cut scenes for 8 hours, but in 3D.

You laugh, but just imagine how much less frustrating the inability to skip past something you’ve seen 40 times will be if it’s popping out at you!

2) Wii Sports for 3DS

Not pictured: Headaches.

Wii Sports was a surprisingly wonderful pack-in that to this day remains a staple of drunken parties at the houses of people who only own a Wii. But wouldn’t it be even better in 3D? Sure, Wii Sports depends on the Wiimote and Wii Motion sensor to work properly, but 3D is The Future! Imagine the headaches you’ll enjoy during tennis! Thrill to the elbow-rotator cuff exercise during Wii Bowling… in 3D. Team up with strangers via StreetPass and try not to pass out from migraines. Best of all, Experience actual permanent eye damage while playing Wii Boxing.

3) Second Tier NES Titles

One of 3DS’ biggest selling points is the surprise resurrection of the long moribund Kid Icarus franchise. But it does illustrate that we’ve probably reached the end of top tier titles from Nintendo’s mythical past. Normally we’d be sad but much like how the best DJs often find the 1 good song on a Spanky and Our Gang album from 1968, now is the time for enterprising developers to dig deep in their old Nintendo crates. Hogan’s Alley? Now it’s a gritty 3D shooter. Fester’s Quest 3D will remain as frustrating and unplayable as its 8-bit original, unless you use the repurposed 3D slider to adjust its horrible design settings. But we can’t wait for Wizards and Warriors 3DS, with stunning 3D Fabio.

4) Punch Out In 3D

This fist, comin' comin atcha in 3d.

As with Wii Sports, the thrill of actual eye damage is a major draw, but the best thing about a 3D Punch out: Watching the Ripples on King Hippo’s belly in 3D. The nausea will be so worth it.

5) Heavy Rain 3DS

This one’s a twofer: not only does it make Phil Owen red with rage, it combines the creepy sensation of doing cruel things to hapless people with the visceral realness of All Three Dimensions. Imagine how much harder it is to watch your younger brother die drowning when it happens in 3D! Now add the ability to create Miis from your photo and insert that photo into your game. BAM: Instant gold. Bonus? StreetPass lets you bring the fun to random strangers who get to be horrified by your awful accent and tragic backstory.

6) Dr. Who? Opening Title Credits: The Game.

It’s this:

But 3D. Case closed.

7) Star Trek: 3DS9

Great news for people who design video game box art and are extremely lazy! Star Trek: 3DS9 for 3DS would feature the plot, setting and 1990s special effects of the underrated Star Trek: Deep Space 9. It would also ham-fistedly cram the two logos together, which is very important when you’re trying to save money. Most importantly Avery Brooks’ Deep, reassuring baritone voice would narrate the training levels. In 3D! Best of all, it would take only the slightest tweak of the logos for both corporate properties. Synergy never seemed so three dimensional.

8 ) Wolfenstein: Spear of Destiny

Take everything about Wolfenstein: Spear of Destiny. Add no updated graphics, no updated gameplay. Simply take everything about the original 1992 First Person Shooter and make it 3D. Then make it compatible with StreetPass and see how many Godwin violations you can rack up through 22 levels of early 90s graphical magic.

9) True Grit: Rooster Cogburn Hunt In 2D For Nintendo 3DS

3DS has some pretty impressive 3D. But just think how much more impressive it would be if you were robbed of your depth perception. In True Grit: The Rooster Cogburn FPS In 2D, the right side 3D projection is disabled, giving you 50% of the 3DS capacity during increasingly difficult shooting galleries based on scenes from the Oscar-nominated movie. Try differentiating between Tom Charney and Mattie Ross without the use of your right eye!

10) Dramamine Adventure for 3DS

In this medically necessary platformer, players ingest regularly prescribed doses of the popular motion sickness treatment while using the 3DS 3D camera to navigate their own apartment. Play for endurance points; the longer you last without losing your lunch the more bonus points you collect for valuable power ups like antacids, 10 minute breaks and the ability to focus.

This is the title Screen from Wolenstein 1-D, a broswer-based game that is precisely what it sounds like. The classic FPS game, at one pixel in size. We don’t want to spoil the whole thing for you here, but here’s a taste of the thrilling one dimension you can expect: